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Castorina P, Castiglione F, Ferini G, Forte S, Martorana E, Giuffrida D. Mathematical modeling of the synergistic interplay of radiotherapy and immunotherapy in anti-cancer treatments. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1373738. [PMID: 38779678 PMCID: PMC11109403 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1373738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction While radiotherapy has long been recognized for its ability to directly ablate cancer cells through necrosis or apoptosis, radiotherapy-induced abscopal effect suggests that its impact extends beyond local tumor destruction thanks to immune response. Cellular proliferation and necrosis have been extensively studied using mathematical models that simulate tumor growth, such as Gompertz law, and the radiation effects, such as the linear-quadratic model. However, the effectiveness of radiotherapy-induced immune responses may vary among patients due to individual differences in radiation sensitivity and other factors. Methods We present a novel macroscopic approach designed to quantitatively analyze the intricate dynamics governing the interactions among the immune system, radiotherapy, and tumor progression. Building upon previous research demonstrating the synergistic effects of radiotherapy and immunotherapy in cancer treatment, we provide a comprehensive mathematical framework for understanding the underlying mechanisms driving these interactions. Results Our method leverages macroscopic observations and mathematical modeling to capture the overarching dynamics of this interplay, offering valuable insights for optimizing cancer treatment strategies. One shows that Gompertz law can describe therapy effects with two effective parameters. This result permits quantitative data analyses, which give useful indications for the disease progression and clinical decisions. Discussion Through validation against diverse data sets from the literature, we demonstrate the reliability and versatility of our approach in predicting the time evolution of the disease and assessing the potential efficacy of radiotherapy-immunotherapy combinations. This further supports the promising potential of the abscopal effect, suggesting that in select cases, depending on tumor size, it may confer full efficacy to radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Castorina
- Genomics and molecular oncology unit, Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Viagrande, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Catania, Catania, Italy
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Filippo Castiglione
- Biotech Research Center, Technology Innovation Institute, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Institute for Applied Computing, National Research Council of Italy, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ferini
- Radiotherapy Unit, REM Radioterapia, Viagrande, Italy
- School of Medicine, University Kore of Enna, Enna, Italy
| | - Stefano Forte
- Genomics and molecular oncology unit, Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Viagrande, Italy
| | - Emanuele Martorana
- Genomics and molecular oncology unit, Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Viagrande, Italy
| | - Dario Giuffrida
- Genomics and molecular oncology unit, Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo, Viagrande, Italy
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Thwaites DI, Prokopovich DA, Garrett RF, Haworth A, Rosenfeld A, Ahern V. The rationale for a carbon ion radiation therapy facility in Australia. J Med Radiat Sci 2024; 71 Suppl 2:59-76. [PMID: 38061984 PMCID: PMC11011608 DOI: 10.1002/jmrs.744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Australia has taken a collaborative nationally networked approach to achieve particle therapy capability. This supports the under-construction proton therapy facility in Adelaide, other potential proton centres and an under-evaluation proposal for a hybrid carbon ion and proton centre in western Sydney. A wide-ranging overview is presented of the rationale for carbon ion radiation therapy, applying observations to the case for an Australian facility and to the clinical and research potential from such a national centre.
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Affiliation(s)
- David I. Thwaites
- Institute of Medical Physics, School of PhysicsUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Department of Radiation OncologySydney West Radiation Oncology NetworkWestmeadNew South WalesAustralia
- Radiotherapy Research Group, Institute of Medical ResearchSt James's Hospital and University of LeedsLeedsUK
| | | | - Richard F. Garrett
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology OrganisationLucas HeightsNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Annette Haworth
- Institute of Medical Physics, School of PhysicsUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Department of Radiation OncologySydney West Radiation Oncology NetworkWestmeadNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Anatoly Rosenfeld
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, School of PhysicsUniversity of WollongongSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Verity Ahern
- Department of Radiation OncologySydney West Radiation Oncology NetworkWestmeadNew South WalesAustralia
- Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Smieja J. Mathematical Modeling Support for Lung Cancer Therapy-A Short Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14516. [PMID: 37833963 PMCID: PMC10572824 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The paper presents a review of models that can be used to describe dynamics of lung cancer growth and its response to treatment at both cell population and intracellular processes levels. To address the latter, models of signaling pathways associated with cellular responses to treatment are overviewed. First, treatment options for lung cancer are discussed, and main signaling pathways and regulatory networks are briefly reviewed. Then, approaches used to model specific therapies are discussed. Following that, models of intracellular processes that are crucial in responses to therapies are presented. The paper is concluded with a discussion of the applicability of the presented approaches in the context of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslaw Smieja
- Department of Systems Biology and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, ul. Akademicka 16, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
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Helm A, Totis C, Durante M, Fournier C. Are charged particles a good match for combination with immunotherapy? Current knowledge and perspectives. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 376:1-36. [PMID: 36997266 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Charged particle radiotherapy, mainly using protons and carbon ions, provides physical characteristics allowing for a volume conformal irradiation and a reduction of the integral dose to normal tissue. Carbon ion therapy additionally features an increased biological effectiveness resulting in peculiar molecular effects. Immunotherapy, mostly performed with immune checkpoint inhibitors, is nowadays considered a pillar in cancer therapy. Based on the advantageous features of charged particle radiotherapy, we review pre-clinical evidence revealing a strong potential of its combination with immunotherapy. We argue that the combination therapy deserves further investigation with the aim of translation in clinics, where a few studies have been set up already.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Helm
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - C Totis
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - M Durante
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany.
| | - C Fournier
- Biophysics Department, GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
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Liu N, He T, Xiao Z, Du J, Zhu K, Liu X, Chen T, Liu W, Ni G, Liu X, Wang T, Quan J, Zhang J, Zhang P, Yuan J. 131I-Caerin 1.1 and 131I-Caerin 1.9 for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:861206. [PMID: 36046040 PMCID: PMC9420947 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.861206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the effect of the 131I-labeled high-affinity peptides Caerin 1.1 and Caerin 1.9 for the treatment of A549 human NSCLC cells. Methods ① 3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and plate clone formation assays were performed to confirm the in vitro anti-tumor activity of Caerin 1.1 and Caerin 1.9. ② Chloramine-T was used to label Caerin 1.1 and Caerin 1.9 with 131I, and the Cell Counting Kit 8 assay was performed to analyze the inhibitory effect of unlabeled Caerin 1.1, unlabeled Caerin 1.9, 131I-labeled Caerin 1.1, and 131I-labeled Caerin 1.9 on the proliferation of NSCLC cells. An A549 NSCLC nude mouse model was established to investigate the in vivo anti-tumor activity of unlabeled Caerin 1.1, unlabeled Caerin 1.9, 131I-labeled Caerin 1.1, and 131I-labeled Caerin 1.9. Results ① Caerin 1.1 and Caerin 1.9 inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration was 16.26 µg/ml and 17.46 µg/ml, respectively, with no significant intergroup difference (P>0.05). ② 131I-labeled Caerin 1.1 and 131I-labeled Caerin 1.9 were equally effective and were superior to their unlabeled versions in their ability to inhibit the proliferation and growth of NSCLC cells (P>0.05). Conclusions 131I-labeled Caerin 1.1 and 131I-labeled Caerin 1.9 inhibit the proliferation and growth of NSCLC cells and may become potential treatments for NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tiantian He
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zewei Xiao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Keke Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiongying Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tongsheng Chen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenjuan Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guoying Ni
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaosong Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Thoracic and Abdominal Radiotherapy Department, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Tianfang Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Jiangtao Quan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, General Hospital of the Southern Theatre Command, People’s Liberation Army of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinhe Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, General Hospital of the Southern Theatre Command, People’s Liberation Army of China, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jinhe Zhang, ; Peipei Zhang, ; Jianwei Yuan,
| | - Peipei Zhang
- Thoracic and Abdominal Radiotherapy Department, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
- *Correspondence: Jinhe Zhang, ; Peipei Zhang, ; Jianwei Yuan,
| | - Jianwei Yuan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical School, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Jinhe Zhang, ; Peipei Zhang, ; Jianwei Yuan,
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Abstract
Protons and carbon ions (hadrons) have useful properties for the treatments of patients affected by oncological pathologies. They are more precise than conventional X-rays and possess radiobiological characteristics suited for treating radio-resistant or inoperable tumours. This paper gives an overview of the status of hadron therapy around the world. It focusses on the Italian National Centre for Oncological Hadron therapy (CNAO), introducing operation procedures, system performance, expansion projects, methodologies and modelling to build individualized treatments. There is growing evidence that supports safety and effectiveness of hadron therapy for a variety of clinical situations. However, there is still a lack of high-level evidence directly comparing hadron therapy with modern conventional radiotherapy techniques. The results give an overview of pre-clinical and clinical research studies and of the treatments of 3700 patients performed at CNAO. The success and development of hadron therapy is strongly associated with the creation of networks among hadron therapy facilities, clinics, universities and research institutions. These networks guarantee the growth of cultural knowledge on hadron therapy, favour the efficient recruitment of patients and present available competences for R&D (Research and Development) programmes.
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Durante M, Debus J, Loeffler JS. Physics and biomedical challenges of cancer therapy with accelerated heavy ions. NATURE REVIEWS. PHYSICS 2021; 3:777-790. [PMID: 34870097 PMCID: PMC7612063 DOI: 10.1038/s42254-021-00368-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapy should have low toxicity in the entrance channel (normal tissue) and be very effective in cell killing in the target region (tumour). In this regard, ions heavier than protons have both physical and radiobiological advantages over conventional X-rays. Carbon ions represent an excellent combination of physical and biological advantages. There are a dozen carbon-ion clinical centres in Europe and Asia, and more under construction or at the planning stage, including the first in the USA. Clinical results from Japan and Germany are promising, but a heated debate on the cost-effectiveness is ongoing in the clinical community, owing to the larger footprint and greater expense of heavy ion facilities compared with proton therapy centres. We review here the physical basis and the clinical data with carbon ions and the use of different ions, such as helium and oxygen. Research towards smaller and cheaper machines with more effective beam delivery is necessary to make particle therapy affordable. The potential of heavy ions has not been fully exploited in clinics and, rather than there being a single 'silver bullet', different particles and their combination can provide a breakthrough in radiotherapy treatments in specific cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Durante
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
- Institute of Condensed Matter Physics, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jürgen Debus
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jay S. Loeffler
- Departments of Radiation Oncology and Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Radiotherapy planning parameters correlate with changes in the peripheral immune status of patients undergoing curative radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2021; 71:541-552. [PMID: 34269847 PMCID: PMC8854140 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03002-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The influence of radiotherapy on patient immune cell subsets has been established by several groups. Following a previously published analysis of immune changes during and after curative radiotherapy for prostate cancer, this analysis focused on describing correlations of changes of immune cell subsets with radiation treatment parameters. Patients and methods For 13 patients treated in a prospective trial with radiotherapy to the prostate region (primary analysis) and five patients treated with radiotherapy to prostate and pelvic nodal regions (exploratory analysis), already published immune monitoring data were correlated with clinical data as well as radiation planning parameters such as clinical target volume (CTV) and volumes receiving 20 Gy (V20) for newly contoured volumes of pelvic blood vessels and bone marrow. Results Most significant changes among immune cell subsets were observed at the end of radiotherapy. In contrast, correlations of age and CD8+ subsets (effector and memory cells) were observed early during and 3 months after radiotherapy. Ratios of T cells and T cell proliferation compared to baseline correlated with CTV. Early changes in regulatory T cells (Treg cells) and CD8+ effector T cells correlated with V20 of blood vessels and bone volumes. Conclusions Patient age as well as radiotherapy planning parameters correlated with immune changes during radiotherapy. Larger irradiated volumes seem to correlate with early suppression of anti-cancer immunity. For immune cell analysis during normofractionated radiotherapy and correlations with treatment planning parameters, different time points should be looked at in future projects. Trial registration number: NCT01376674, 20.06.2011 Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00262-021-03002-6.
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